Girty would have stopped there, and terrible
suffering would have been spared to the border. But he struck as he ran,
and, although Girty was knocked senseless, his skull was not fractured.

Henry darted away at a right angle from the line toward the forest. He
had done what was achieved a few times by prisoners of uncommon strength
and agility. Instead of continuing between the rows he had broken out at
one side, and now was straining every effort to reach the forest, with
the whole Wyandot village yelling at his heels.

Timmendiquas had seen the deed in every detail. He had marked the sudden
turn of the fugitive and the extraordinary quickness and strength with
which he had overthrown Girty, at the same time taking from him his
weapon, and his eyes flashed approval. But he was a Wyandot chief, and
he could not let such a captive escape. After a few moments of
hesitation he joined in the pursuit, and directed it with voice and
gesture.

Henry's soul sang a song of triumph to him. He would escape! There was
nobody between him and the forest, and they would not fire just yet for
fear of hurting their own people. His strength redoubled. The forest
came nearer. It seemed to reach out great green branches and invite him
to its shelter.

An old woman suddenly sprang up from the grass and seized him by the
knees. He made a mighty effort, threw her off, and leaped clear of her
clawing hands. But he had lost time, and the warriors had gained. One
was very near, and if he should lay hands upon him Henry knew that he
could not escape. Even if the warrior were able to hold him only a half
minute the others then would be at hand. But he was still keyed up to
the great tension with which he had started down the line. His effort,
instead of reaching the zenith, was still increasing, and, turning
sideways as he ran, he hurled the stick back into the face of the
warrior who was so near. The Wyandot endeavored to dodge it, but he was
not quick enough. It struck him on the side of the head and he fell,
knocked senseless as Girty, the renegade, had been.

Then the fleeing youth made another supreme effort, and he drew clear of
his pursuers by some yards. The forest was very much nearer now. How
cool, how green, and how friendly it looked! One could surely find shade
and protection among all those endless rows of mighty trunks! He heard a
report behind him and a bullet sang in his ear. The Wyandots, now that
he had become a clear tar